Hand pump

ABSTRACT

A hand pump which is threadably mounted on the throat of a liquid container with the throat having a throat plug assembly mounted therein. The pump includes a lower housing having an upper housing movably embracing the lower housing. The upper housing is selectively movable between a normal extended position to a compressed position relative to the lower housing. When the upper housing is moved from its extended position to its compressed position, a piston and piston rod assembly pumps liquid from the lower housing outwardly from the upper housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a hand pump and more particularly to a hand pump which is threadably mounted on the throat of a liquid container with the throat having a throat plug assembly mounted therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

Applicant has previously received several patents relating to chemical dispensers and dosing devices which include a throat plug assembly press-fitted into the throat of a container having liquid chemicals therein. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,988,456 and 7,631,783. The throat plug assemblies of the '456 and '783 patents include a vertically disposed valve stem having an opening formed therein below the upper end thereof. A valve, having upper and lower ends, slidably embraces the valve stem so that the opening in the valve stem is normally closed. The throat plug assembly is maintained in the normally closed position until some structure, such as a discharge cap, is threaded onto the throat of the container which causes the valve to move downwardly with respect to the valve stem so that liquid may pass outwardly through the opening in the valve stem.

Prior to the instant invention, Applicant has not used a hand pump which could be threadably secured to the throat of a liquid container so that the liquid within the container could be hand pumped from the container in a truly efficient and safe manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A hand pump is disclosed for use with a liquid container which has a hollow, externally threaded throat having a prior art throat plug assembly positioned therein. The pump includes a lower, cup-shaped housing having a horizontally disposed bottom wall and an upstanding wall portion extending upwardly therefrom. The lower, cup-shaped housing has an open upper end. A centrally positioned, ring-shaped internally threaded connector member extends downwardly from the lower side of the bottom wall for threadable connection to the externally threaded throat of the container. A centrally positioned ring-shaped boss extends downwardly from the lower side of the bottom wall within the connector member for engagement with the valve of the throat plug assembly when the lower housing is threadably secured to the threaded throat of the container to permit liquid to flow from the container upwardly through the valve stem of the throat plug assembly and thence upwardly therefrom.

A cylindrical valve ball retainer wall, having an upper end, extends upwardly from the upper side of the bottom wall at the center thereof. An opening, having upper and lower ends, is formed in the bottom wall within the retainer wall. The lower end of the opening is in communication with the interior of the connector member. The upper end of the opening defines an upwardly presented first valve seat. A first ball valve is movably positioned within the valve ball retainer which is adapted to seat upon the first valve seat at times. A vented cap is positioned on the upper end of the valve ball retainer. A horizontally disposed, disc-shaped cap is secured to the upper end of the lower cup-shaped housing. The cap has a central opening formed therein.

The pump also includes an upper, inverted, generally cup-shaped housing which has a cylindrical wall portion vertically movably embracing the upstanding wall portion of the lower cup-shaped housing. The upper housing has an open lower end and a closed upper end. A disc-shaped and horizontally disposed piston is positioned in the lower housing below the disc-shaped cap on the upper end of the lower housing. The piston has a central opening formed therein. A vertically disposed and hollow piston rod, having upper and lower ends, is secured to the piston and extends upwardly therefrom through the central opening in the cap on the upper end of the lower housing. The hollow piston rod has an upwardly presented second valve seat formed therein adjacent the upper end thereof. A second valve ball is movably positioned in the piston rod above the second valve seat which is adapted to seat upon the second valve seat to close the same at times. A retainer is positioned above the second ball valve for limiting the upward movement thereof. The upper end of the piston rod is fixed to the upper end of the upper housing.

The hand pump also includes a discharge spout having inner and outer ends. The inner end of the discharge spout is in operative fluid communication with the upper end of the piston rod above the second valve ball. The outer end of the discharge spout is positioned laterally of the upper housing. In the preferred embodiment, a shroud encloses the discharge spout.

A spring yieldably maintains the lower housing in an extended position relative to the upper housing. When the lower housing is in its extended position relative to the upper housing, the piston is positioned in the upper end of the lower housing. When the upper housing is pushed downwardly relative to the lower housing, the piston moves downwardly in the lower housing to force or pump liquid in the lower housing to be forced or pumped upwardly past the unseated second valve ball and into the discharge spout.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved hand pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hand pump for pumping liquid chemicals from a liquid container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand pump which may be selectively secured to the throat of a liquid container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand pump including upper and lower valve balls which are selectively seated upon upper and lower valve seats.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand pump which is convenient to use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand pump of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the hand pump of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the hand pump of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of the hand pump of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the hand pump of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded side view of the hand pump of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the hand pump of this invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The hand-held pump dispenser of this invention is referred to by the reference numeral 10. Dispenser 10 includes a lower, cup-shaped housing 12 having a horizontally disposed bottom wall 14 with an upper side 16 and a lower side 18. Housing 12 also includes an upstanding wall portion 20 which extends upwardly from bottom wall 14. The housing 12 has an open upper end 22. A centrally positioned, ring-shaped connector member 24 extends downwardly from the lower side 18 of bottom wall 14. Connector member 24 has internal threads 26 which are adapted to be threadably secured to the exterior threads on the throat of a liquid container.

The liquid container will normally be a bottle such as depicted in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,988,456 and 7,631,783. The container will have a throat plug assembly press-fitted into the throat of the container such as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,783. Applicant hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,988,456 and 7,631,783 to complete this disclosure if needed. The prior art throat plug assembly includes a vertically disposed, hollow valve stem which has its lower end in fluid communication with the liquid chemical in the bottle by means of a dip tube extending downwardly from the throat plug assembly into the interior of the bottle. A fluid discharge opening is provided in the valve stem below the closed upper end thereof. A vertically movable valve embraces the valve stem which is movable between an upper position and a lower position with respect to the valve stem. When the valve is in its upper position, it closed the discharge opening in the valve stem to prevent the flow of liquid upwardly therethrough. When the valve is in its lower position, liquid may pass outwardly therethrough for discharge from the throat plug assembly.

A spring yieldably maintains the valve in its upper position. When a discharge cap is threadably secured to the throat of the container, structure in the interior of the discharge cap engages the upper end of the valve to move the valve from the upper position to its lower position so that liquid in the container may be discharged through the throat plug assembly and the discharge cap.

A cylindrical valve ball retainer 28 extends upwardly from bottom wall 14 at the center thereof. An opening 30 is formed in bottom wall 16 within retainer 28. The upper end of opening 30 defines a valve seat 32. The lower end of opening 30 is in communication with the cylindrical wall portion 34 which extends downwardly from bottom wall 16.

A valve ball 26 is movably positioned within valve ball retainer 28 and is adapted to sealably seat upon valve seat 32. A vented cap 38 is positioned on the upper end of valve ball retainer 28.

A horizontally disposed, disc-shaped cap 40 is detachably secured to the upper end of wall portion 22. Cap 40 has a centrally positioned opening 42 formed therein.

The numeral 44 refers to an upper, generally cup-shaped housing which has a cylindrical wall portion 46 which movably embraces the wall portion 20 of housing 12 as seen in the drawings. As seen, housing 44 has an open lower end 48 and a closed upper end 50.

A disc-shaped and horizontally disposed piston 52 is vertically movably positioned in housing 12 below cap 40. Piston 52 has a central opening 54 formed therein. A hollow and vertically disposed piston rod 56 has its lower end secured to piston 52 so as to be in communication with opening 54 in piston 52. Piston rod 56 extends upwardly from piston 52 so as to be in communication with opening 54 in piston 52.

Piston rod 56 has an upwardly presented valve seat 58 formed therein below the upper end thereof. A valve ball 60 is movably positioned in piston rod 56 which is adapted to seat upon valve seat 58 to close the upper end of piston rod 56. A vented retainer 62 is positioned above valve ball 60 to maintain the valve ball in position. The numeral 64 refers to a discharge spout which extends laterally from the upper end of housing 44. The inner end of spout 44 is in communication with the upper end of piston rod 56 with the discharge end 66 of the spout 64 being located laterally of housing 44.

The pump 10 is operated as will now be described. The components of the pump 10 will initially be in the position of FIG. 4. The pump 10 will be threadably secured to the container having the previously described throat plug assembly positioned in the throat of the container which will have liquid therein. As the threaded connector 24 is screwed onto the throat of the container, the boss 34 will engage the valve of the throat plug assembly and move the same downwardly to expose the opening in the valve stem. At that time, the upper housing 44 will be in the extended position of FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Valve ball is seated upon valve seat 32 to close the opening 30. At that time, valve ball 60 is seated upon valve seat 58.

Upper housing 44 is then moved or pushed downwardly relative to lower housing 12 which causes piston 52 to move downwardly to the vented cap 38. The downward movement of the piston in lower housing causes the air in lower housing to be forced upwardly through the central opening 54 in the piston and upwardly through the hollow piston rod 56. The air moving upwardly through piston rod 56 will unseat valve ball 60 so that the air may be discharged through the spout 64.

Downward pressure on upper housing 44 is then released which causes piston 52 to move upwardly in lower housing 12 which creates a suction in the interior of lower housing 12. The suction within the lower housing 12 will cause valve ball 36 to unseat so that liquid within the container will be drawn upwardly into the interior of the lower housing 12. When the upper housing 44 has been moved upwardly to its extended (upper) position by the spring 70, downward pressure is again applied to the upper housing. As piston 52 moves downwardly in the liquid-filled lower housing 12, the valve ball 36 will seat upon valve seat 32. The compression of the liquid in the lower housing causes the liquid to be pumped or forced upwardly through the central opening 54 in piston 52, the interior of piston rod 56 and outwardly through spout 64.

The successive downward movement of the upper housing 44 relative to the lower housing 12 pumps the liquid in the container outwardly through the spout 64.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A hand pump for use with a liquid container having a hollow, externally threaded throat, having a throat plug assembly positioned therein, comprising: a lower, cup-shaped housing having a horizontally disposed bottom wall and an upstanding wall portion extending upwardly therefrom; said lower, cup-shaped housing having an open upper end; said bottom wall having upper and lower sides; a centrally positioned, ring-shaped, internally threaded connector member extending downwardly from said lower side of said bottom wall for threadable connection to the externally threaded throat of the container; a centrally positioned, ring-shaped boss extending downwardly from said lower side of said bottom wall within said connector member for engagement with the throat plug assembly when said lower housing is threadably secured to the threaded throat of the container to permit liquid to flow from the container upwardly through the throat plug assembly; a cylindrical valve ball retainer wall, having an upper end, extending upwardly from said upper side of said bottom wall at the center thereof; an opening, having upper and lower ends, formed in said bottom wall within said retainer wall; said lower end of said opening being in communication with the interior of said connector member; said upper end of said opening defining an upwardly presented first valve seat; a first valve ball positioned within said valve ball retainer which is adapted to seat upon said first valve seat at times; a vented cap positioned on said upper end of said valve ball retainer; a horizontally disposed, disc-shaped cap selectively secured to said upper end of said lower cup-shaped housing; said cap having a central opening formed therein; an upper, inverted and generally cup-shaped housing which has a cylindrical wall portion selectively vertically movably embracing said upstanding wall portion of said lower cup-shaped housing; said upper housing having an open lower end and a closed upper end; said upper housing being movable between a normal extended position to a compressed position relative to said lower housing; a disc-shaped and horizontally disposed piston positioned in said lower housing below said disc-shaped cap on said upper end of said lower housing; said piston having a central opening formed therein; a vertically disposed hollow piston rod, having upper and lower ends, secured to said piston which extends upwardly therefrom through said central opening in said cap on said upper end of said lower housing; said piston rod having an upwardly presented second valve seat formed therein adjacent said upper end thereof; said piston being movable between upper and lower positions in said lower housing; a second valve ball positioned in said piston rod above said second valve seat which seats upon said second valve seat to close the same at times; a retainer above said second ball valve for limiting the upward movement thereof; and a discharge spout having inner and outer ends; said inner end of said discharge spout being in fluid communication with said upper end of said piston rod above said second valve ball; said outer end of said discharge spout being positioned laterally of said upper housing; and a spring which yieldably maintains said upper housing in said extended position.
 2. The hand pump of claim 1 wherein said spring embraces said piston rod between said cap and said closed upper end of said upper housing. 